Two Women and a Hoe®

February 10, 2011

An "Easy Care" Flowering Ornamental Tree

Posted by Jan Bills

If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...
I could walk through my garden forever.

~Alfred Lord Tennyson

GROW IT!

Royal Raindrops® Crabapple Malus

When I saw this upright small ornamental tree at the nursery, I could not resist its vibrant pink-red flowers surrounded by deep dark purple foliage! The rich red fruits, orange-red fall color, and interesting bark provides all-season appeal. Outstanding disease resistance makes this "easy care" crabapple a jewel in the landscape! Plant with confidence. May all your gardens grow!

Height: 20'
Spread: 15'
Zone: 4

Photos by: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

February 08, 2011

A Landscape Favorite: Dwarf Fothergilla

Posted by Jan Bills

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

~Aristotle

GROW IT!

Fothergilla gardenii

We love adding this wonderfully textured native dwarf shrub to new and existing landscapes. Delicate white, honey-scented, bottle-brush blossoms add fabulous spring interest to the garden. The unforgettable green textured leaves change in autumn to outstanding shades of yellow, orange, and red! Use in groupings, masses, or foundation plantings. Plant in full or partial sun. May all your gardens grow!

Height: 3-4'
Spread: 3-4'
Zone: 5-8

January 30, 2011

The Garden People's Choice Awards!

Posted by Jan Bills

We shall neither fail nor falter; we shall not weaken or tire...give us the tools

and we will finish the job.

~Winston Churchill

It was informative learning which garden tools my fellow Facebook friends and gardeners liked best! Hands down, shovels, metal rakes, hoes (woot hoot!), trowels, gloves, spades, and body parts were at the top of everyone's lists. I especially enjoyed (and others did, too!) Kelly's entertaining and delightful response when asked to name three tools she could not garden without. Here's what she said: "trowel, hoe, and a good looking man with no shirt, nice and tanned ..."! Now we all know the kind of gardening fun Kelly is having in Sheboygan, Wisconsin!

Learning what brands of tools other gardeners were using and highly recommended was priceless. Without further ado, it is with great honor and a privilege to share a few tools of choice selected by you.

Bachi Gata

Fiskars Bypass Pruner

Hula Hoe

Corona Two-Handed Bypass Pruner

Hori Hori Knife


True Temper Ergo Gel-Grip Hand Weeder

Spring and the growing season is right around the corner! As we all know, tools can be very expensive so it was most helpful learning from very skillful and experienced gardeners. I think it is safe to assume that good garden tools are like good friends, we need them to grow!

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the Garden People's Choice Awards!

May all your gardens grow!

January 23, 2011

Hot Ornamental Picks this Season!

Posted by Jan Bills

If the day and night be such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more immortal - that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself.

~Henry David Thoreau

Here's a few of our hot picks for landscapes and gardens this season.

Check back often as we photograph how we used them to create color, texture and interest!